Posted by Matt G on February 06, 2002 at 08:07:37:
In Reply to: Besson F posted by Pete on February 05, 2002 at 23:34:24:
That is an F tuba. It is a Besson. It is based on the 983.
From what I had heard a few years back when the 983 first came to market, Besson was going to fabricate an F tuba based on the 983 design because the 983 Eb was such a hit. Besson worked with Pat Sheridan on making this F and I think a few dealers like Dillon's were on the prototype tour for testing. I think the overall consensus was that the horn needed a lot of refinement. It blew too stuffy even for an F and the intonation was very suspect (probably because it was just a cut Eb). I'm sure a few (possibly 5-10 at most) prototypes were made. Many of them are probably being used as trade fodder or such which would justify how this horn ended up on ebay.
While it looks interesting, I wouldn't touch it with a ten foot pole.
Matt G